Universal Peace Federation's Annual Peace Council is the year end drawing together of Ambassadors for Peace, long standing friends of UPF and Branch Chairs etc from across the UK. Areas of activity such as the work with Young Achievers, Women's Empowerment, Family and Marriage and the Inter-relationship of Religion and Politics were all included with updates from UPF activities around the world.

A series of videos have been uploaded on Youtube and can accessed through this link Photos of the afternoon are posted here and here

TG Foundation's 10th Anniversary on International Women's Day. The programme highlighted the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo as the worst place in the world to be a woman. It is known as the rape capital of the world. TG Foundation supports homes for victims of rape and helps the education of the children in those homes. Universal Peace Federation UK has been a partner in their activities providing a platform from UPF's wide network. Please see www.tgfoundation.org.uk

The Universal Peace Federation (#UPF) held an International Leadership Conference (ILC) in Seoul, South Korea from the 18th to 21st of February. Featuring the UPF’s recent initiatives, the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (#IAPP) and the Inter-religious Association for Peace and Development (#IAPD), the ILC considered strategies that could resolve difficult world issues. One Session entitled, “The Vision and Role of the IAPP for the Settlement of Peace on the Korean Peninsula” was convened in the conference hall of the Korean National Assembly Members with over 150 parliamentarians from 70 nations participating.

Mr AbdulBasith SyedIbrahim was recognised with an Ambassador for Peace Award for following in the footsteps of his grandfather - who, among other things, was a freedom fighter, back in his homeland of India. “I want to follow his legacy,” he said, “I’m both proud and honoured to support young children in India.” Mr Basit’s own trust organisation aims to help young orphans and provide them with welfare, regardless of their religious background. “We are born from the same blood and flesh, so there should be no boundaries,” Mr Basit added. In regard to receiving the award, he said: “This award gives me a lot of encouragement for what I do and it motives me to do more, thank you UPF”. Currently, Mr Basit is working on a project to provide life-saving medicine to children in Myanmar.

An Ambassador for Peace Award was presented to Mr Jamil O. Eniola, for his work in his home country of Nigeria. Mr Eniola founded the HEN Foundation which offers basic education, health care and, most importantly, empowerment, to young children in Nigeria. “We want to give them responsibility,” said Mr Eniola, “Everyone wants to restore their own dignity to, for example, take their family out of poverty.” Mr Eniola shared how he strives to be a peace-maker which is why UPF’s vision resonates with him. “Peace wants nothing,” he said, “We must understand each other as brothers and sisters.” He is deeply grateful that UPF have recognised his efforts in aiming to bring about peace. On looking to the future, he said: “My main ambition is to become someone who can make a positive impact and leave a legacy for others to follow.”